Strip material holder

ABSTRACT

A material holder for engaging, holding and releasing strip materials is disclosed. The holder includes a housing having an elongated internal cavity and an aperture extending through one wall of the housing. A rotatable clamping member is positioned in the housing cavity. The clamping member is configured to allow the ready insertion or removal of strip material into or from the internal housing cavity in a first rotated position. In a second rotated position, the strip material is clamped to one edge of the housing aperture.

United States Patent Christensen [54] STRIP MATERIAL HOLDER [72] Inventor: Ferdinand Christensen, 13207 Loumont Ave., Whittier, Calif. 91706 [22] Filed: June 15, 1970' 2 1 Appl. No.: 46,396

[52] US. Cl. ..269/254 R, 24/243 M, 242/74, 269/6, 271/53 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65h 65/00, B65h 75/28 [58] Field of Search ..24/132 R, 132 AA, 132 AC, 132 AS, 24/243 K, 243 M, 243 N, 248 FS; 73/103; 198/180; 226/92; 242/74, 125.1; 269/254; 271/53, 79, 82

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,896,448 7/1959 Haines ..24/132 AC 3,563,536 2/1971 Adamov ..198/180 X July 25,1972

3,201,059 8/1965 Winkel ..242/74 X 2,631,349 3/1953 Houston... ....242/74.l X 2,557,877 6/1951 Kluson ..24/132 AC Primary Examiner-Theron E. Condon Assistant Examiner-Neil Abrams Attorney-Norman L. Chalfin and Richard Morganstern [5 7] ABSTRACT 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures STRIP MATERIAL HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to material holders and, more particularly, to strip material holders capable of efficiently engaging, holding, and subsequently releasing strip materials.

2. Description of the Prior Art In automated machinery designed to fabricate articles of commerce from lengths of twine or ribbon or other strip meterials, it is often necessary to grasp an end of the strip material at one point in the fabrication cycle and thereafter release the strip at another point in the cycle. In machinery of this type, therefore, some form of strip material holder is required. The value of a piece of automated machinery is, of course, re

lated to its end product fabrication rate. The speed, ease, and

reliability with which the engaging and releasing steps are achieved during each unit fabrication cycle is often a significant element in determining the maximum end product rate.

Various strip material holders are known to the prior art. One known approach is to provide opposed clamping jaws. The material is inserted between the jaws which are thereafter clamped together, utilizing a suitable jaw gearing arrangement. After completion of a fabrication cycle, the gearing arrangement separates the jaws, allowing the strip material to be removed. While this approach is workable, it requires a cumbersome and expensive gearing mechanism, thus adding to the size and cost of the apparatus. Feasible gearing mechanism are also inherently limited in their speed of operation, thus limiting the end product production rate.

v Another known approach which has been utilized where the strip material has some width, as where ribbon materials are used, is to provide an elongated pin upon which the end of the ribbon material is impaled. Upon completion of the desired operation, the end of the ribbon is pulled off of the pin. This approach requires a somewhat complicated mechanism to effect the impaling operation. Further, the strips exhibit a tendency to prematurely pull off of the pin head in the presence of forces along the axis of the pin. The impaling operation also tends to disfigure the ribbon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a strip material holder is provided which readilyengages a portion of strip material, holds the portion securely during any desired fabrication procedure, and thereafter readily releases the material at the end of the desired fabrication operation.

The holder includes an elongated housing. The housing has an elongated internal cavity. An elongated housing aperture extends through one wall of the housing portion of the housing length. A clamping member is rotatably positioned in the housing cavity. The clamping member has an elongated clamping edge which extends for at least a portion of the length of the housing aperture. The clamping member is configured to allow the ready insertion or removal of the strip material into or from the internal housing cavity when the clamping member is in a first rotated position. When the clamping member is in a second rotated position, its clamping edge is positioned in clamping juxtaposition with one edge of the elongated aperture.

A strip material inserted into the interior of the housing cavity while the clamping member is in its first rotated position is therefore releasably clamped by the inner member in its second rotated position.

The inner clamping member may preferably be spring biased into its normally clamping or second rotated positioned. A tortional force is applied to the inner rotated member during the insertion or release process to move the inner member into its first or open position to allow for the ready insertion or removal of the strip material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art when taken into consideration with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals indicate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side-elevation view of an embodiment of a strip material holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as seen along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view as seen along lines 3--3 of FIG. 2; I

FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the material holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention, showing the internal clamping member rotated to the material insertion or release position;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 4, showing the internal clamping member rotated to the material clamping position;

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention wherein the internal rotatable clamping member is in the shape of a key configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a strip material holder constructed according to the principles of the present invention. As shown in FIG. I, the holder includes an elongated housing 20 having a front housing portion 22 and a rear housing portion 21. The front housing portion 22 is provided with an elongated aperture 52. The holder is adapted, in a manner to be hereinafter described, to hold portions of strip material which, for purposes of illustration, is shown in FIG. I as being a ribbon material 10.

As may be seen, having additional reference to FIG. 2, the

housing is provided with an internal elongated cavity into which an inner clamping member 25 is rotatably mounted.

A pin 16 extends through an aperture 25 in the rear housing portion 21 and is attached to the rotatable clamping member 25 by a threaded pin portion 31. The aperture 35 allows the pin 16 and the attached clamping member 25 to be rotated through a predetermined arc.

Pin 16 is preferably spring biased by a spring 15, as shown, so as to be normally in the position illustrated in FIG. I. A spring-mounting pin 17 is attached to the rear housing portion 21 via a threaded portion 32. Pin 17 serves as a second mounting member for bias spring 15.

The rear housing portion 21 also preferably is provided with a female threaded portion 30. Threaded portion 30 may be used to mount the holder to any desired vitilization apparatus, not shown.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a force F applied to spring-loaded pin 16, if of sufficient magnitude to overcome the spring-bias forces, causes the pin 16 and clamping member 25 to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrows. Force F may typically be provided by having a driven portion of a vitilization apparatus, not shown, engage pin 16 in any suitable manner. Apparatus for performing this type of function is well known and forms no part of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a front-end view of the material holder is shown illustrating the pin 16 rotated to the full extent allowed by groove 35. As shown in FIG. 4, the clamping member 25 is provided with a groove 40. With pin 16 rotated, as shown in FIG. 4, the groove is aligned with the elongated housing aperture 52. Groove 40 preferably extends for substantially the entire length of housing aperture 52. In the position illustrated in FIG. 4, the strip material 10 may be inserted through the housing aperture 52 into the interior of the housing, as shown. Alternately, strip material previously inserted into the interior of the housing may readily be removed.

Referring now to FIG. 5, after force F is removed from the spring-loaded pin 16, the clamping member 25 returns to its normal spring-biased position. In this rotated position, an edge of the clamping member 25 is positioned in clamping juxtaposition with one edge of the elongated housing aperture 52. Thus, the strip material will be securely held by the springtensioned clamping action for the duration of any desired operation performed by an associated apparatus. Upon the completion of the desired operation, the force F is again applied to Spring-loaded pin 16 to rotate it into the position shown in FIG. 4. In the position shown in FIG. 4, the end of the strip material will readily pop free. The angular relationship of the sides of groove 40, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, has been found particularly suitable for allowing quick disengagement of the strip material 10. More particularly, it has been found desirable to have the groove side 61 displaced a substantial angular amount from groove side 60 to insure quick strip material disengagement.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment of the rotatable clamping member is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 5, the clamping member 25 is shown as having an internal diameter somewhat less than the diameter of the internal elongated housing cavity. A clamping tooth 60, preferably of a length to substantially coincide with that of the elongated housing aperture 52, extends from member 25 so as to have one edge in clamping juxtaposition with an edge of the housing aperture 52. Upon rotation, in a manner similar to that described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the strip material 10 will be released from the interior of the housing cavity.

The strip material holder, thus described, readily engages, holds, and releases strip materials. As is obvious, the nature of the strip materials used is not critical. Materials having widths which vary from relatively thin, cored-type materials to relatively wide, ribbon-type materials may be readily engaged, clamped and released in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

1 claim:

1. A strip material holder comprising:

an elongated housing having an internal cylindrical cavity and an elongated aperture extending through one wall of said housing for a portion of the length thereof;

a cylinder rotatably positioned in said cavity, said cylinder having an elongated groove extending for at least a portion of the length thereof, said groove coinciding with said housing aperture in a first rotated position of said cylinder to allow the insertion or ready removal of an end of the strip material, said groove having one edge thereof in clamping juxtaposition with one edge of said elongated aperture in a second rotated position of said cylinder; and

means for constraining said cylinder to rotate between said first and second rotated positions, whereby strip material inserted in said aperture with said cylinder in said first rotated position is releasably clamped by said cylinder in said second rotated position.

2. The material holder of claim 1 further comprising:

means for biasing said cylinder in said second rotated position. 1

3. The material holder of claim 2 wherein said housing has a second aperture extending through a wall of said housing and communicating with said internal cylindrical cavity, said second aperture having a lateral dimension extending in the direction of rotation of said cylinder; and

a cylinder drive pin connected to said cylinder and extending through said second aperture.

4. The material holder of claim 3 wherein said biasing means comprises:

a bias spring having one end attached to said cylinder drive pin and a second end attached to said housing, said bias spring applying spring forces to said cylinder drive pin to normally hold said cylinder in said second position.

5. The material holder of claim 4 wherein said elongated oove has at least first and second sides, said first groove side eing displaced by a substantial angular amount from said second groove side.

6. The material holder of claim 5 wherein said first groove side is substantially perpendicular to said second groove side.

7. A strip material holder comprising: an elongated housing having an elongated internal cylindrical cavity and an elongated aperture extending through one wall of said housing for a portion of the length thereof; an inner clamping member rotatably positioned in said cavity, said member having an elongated clamping edge extending for at least a portion of the length thereof, said member being configured relative to said elongated aperture to allow the insertion of an end of the strip material into said internal housing cavity in a first rotated position of said member and to have said clamping edge in clamping juxtaposition with one edge of said elongated aperture in a second rotated position of said member; and means for constraining said inner clamping member to rotate between said first and second rotated positions, whereby strip material inserted in said aperture with said clamping member in said first rotated position is releasably clamped by said inner member in said second rotated position.

8. The material holder of claim 7 wherein said inner clamping member comprises:

a cylinder of substantially the same diameter as said cylindrical cavity, said cylinder having an elongated groove extending for at least a portion of the length thereof, one edge of said groove forming said clamping edge.

9. The material holder of claim 8 wherein said groove has first and second sides which intersect at a relatively large angle.

10. The material holder of claim 9 wherein said angle is substantially equal to 11. The material holder of claim 9 wherein said housing has a second aperture extending through a wall of said housing and communicating with said internal cylindrical cavity, said second aperture having a lateral dimension extending in the direction of rotation of said cylinder.

12. The material holder of claim 11 further comprising:

a cylinder drive pin connected to said cylinder and extending through said second aperture; and

a bias spring having one end attached to said cylinder drive pin and a second end attached to said housing, said bias spring applying spring forces to said cylinder dirve pin to normally hold said cylinder in said second position.

13. A strip material holder comprising:

an elongated housing having an internal cavity and an elongated aperture extending through one wall of said housing for a portion of the length thereof;

an inner member rotatably positioned in said cavity, said member having an elongated tooth extending for a portion of the length thereof positioned relative to said elongated aperture to allow the insertion of an end of the strip material into said internal housing cavity in a first rotated position of said inner member and to have one edge thereof in clamping juxtaposition with one edge of said elongated aperture in a second rotated position of said inner member; and

means for limiting the rotation of said inner member to between said first and second rotated positions, whereby strip material inserted in said aperture with said inner member is said first position is releasably clamped by said inner member in said second position. 

1. A strip material holder comprising: an elongated housing having an internal cylindrical cavity and an elongated aperture extending through one wall of said housing for a portion of the length thereof; a cylinder rotatably positioned in said cavity, said cylinder having an elongated groove extending for at least a portion of the length thereof, said groove coinciding with said housing aperture in a first rotated position of said cylinder to allow the insertion or ready removal of an end of the strip material, said groove having one edge thereof in clamping juxtaposition with one edge of said elongated aperture in a second rotated position of said cylinder; and means for constraining said cylinder to rotate between said first and second rotated positions, whereby strip material inserted in said aperture with said cylinder in said first rotated position is releasably clamped by said cylInder in said second rotated position.
 2. The material holder of claim 1 further comprising: means for biasing said cylinder in said second rotated position.
 3. The material holder of claim 2 wherein said housing has a second aperture extending through a wall of said housing and communicating with said internal cylindrical cavity, said second aperture having a lateral dimension extending in the direction of rotation of said cylinder; and a cylinder drive pin connected to said cylinder and extending through said second aperture.
 4. The material holder of claim 3 wherein said biasing means comprises: a bias spring having one end attached to said cylinder drive pin and a second end attached to said housing, said bias spring applying spring forces to said cylinder drive pin to normally hold said cylinder in said second position.
 5. The material holder of claim 4 wherein said elongated groove has at least first and second sides, said first groove side being displaced by a substantial angular amount from said second groove side.
 6. The material holder of claim 5 wherein said first groove side is substantially perpendicular to said second groove side.
 7. A strip material holder comprising: an elongated housing having an elongated internal cylindrical cavity and an elongated aperture extending through one wall of said housing for a portion of the length thereof; an inner clamping member rotatably positioned in said cavity, said member having an elongated clamping edge extending for at least a portion of the length thereof, said member being configured relative to said elongated aperture to allow the insertion of an end of the strip material into said internal housing cavity in a first rotated position of said member and to have said clamping edge in clamping juxtaposition with one edge of said elongated aperture in a second rotated position of said member; and means for constraining said inner clamping member to rotate between said first and second rotated positions, whereby strip material inserted in said aperture with said clamping member in said first rotated position is releasably clamped by said inner member in said second rotated position.
 8. The material holder of claim 7 wherein said inner clamping member comprises: a cylinder of substantially the same diameter as said cylindrical cavity, said cylinder having an elongated groove extending for at least a portion of the length thereof, one edge of said groove forming said clamping edge.
 9. The material holder of claim 8 wherein said groove has first and second sides which intersect at a relatively large angle.
 10. The material holder of claim 9 wherein said angle is substantially equal to 90*.
 11. The material holder of claim 9 wherein said housing has a second aperture extending through a wall of said housing and communicating with said internal cylindrical cavity, said second aperture having a lateral dimension extending in the direction of rotation of said cylinder.
 12. The material holder of claim 11 further comprising: a cylinder drive pin connected to said cylinder and extending through said second aperture; and a bias spring having one end attached to said cylinder drive pin and a second end attached to said housing, said bias spring applying spring forces to said cylinder dirve pin to normally hold said cylinder in said second position.
 13. A strip material holder comprising: an elongated housing having an internal cavity and an elongated aperture extending through one wall of said housing for a portion of the length thereof; an inner member rotatably positioned in said cavity, said member having an elongated tooth extending for a portion of the length thereof positioned relative to said elongated aperture to allow the insertion of an end of the strip material into said internal housing cavity in a first rotated position of said inner member and to have one edge thereof in clamping juxtaposition with one edge of said eLongated aperture in a second rotated position of said inner member; and means for limiting the rotation of said inner member to between said first and second rotated positions, whereby strip material inserted in said aperture with said inner member is said first position is releasably clamped by said inner member in said second position. 